Shocker: France upsets Team USA in World Cup quarterfinals

The lack of star power on Team USA's FIBA World Cup roster drew criticism ahead of the international tournament in China. The roster deficiencies finally caught up to the current group as Team USA fell in the quarterfinals to France 89-79 on Wednesday.

The loss broke the USA's streak of 58 straight wins in international competition with NBA players. It is the first loss since the 2006 FIBA World Championship semifinals against Greece. France will move on to face Argentina in the semifinals.

"It's probably the kind of game we're going to talk about in 20 years," French center Rudy Gobert said after the game.

The last time the U.S. did not medal was 2002 when it placed sixth — the worst finish at the tournament. Since it still finished as one of the top two teams from the Americas zone, Team USA qualified for the 2020 Olympics and will go for a fourth consecutive gold medal in Japan.

Team USA's in action against France's Louis Labeyrie during the FIBA World Cup quarterfinals.(Photo: Alex Plavevski, EPA-EFE)

Team USA held a seven-point lead at one point in the fourth quarter, led by Donovan Mitchell's game-high 29 points. But France peeled off a 18-5 run to take control of the game. Overall, France outscored the USA by 17 points over the final eight minutes.

With under a minute left and trailing by four, Mitchell attempted to drive past Gobert, only to be blocked under the rim by his Jazz teammate. Gobert, using his height advantage over a smaller USA squad, finished with 21 points and 16 rebounds.

"We knew that they were going to play small," Gobert said. "So it was on me to be available down low."

Orlando Magic forward Evan Fournier led the French squad with 22 points.